nothing wrong with smelt, especially if that's all you got.
Run the hook through it nostrils, just like sardines or macs.
This time of the year, bait can be tough. Maybe try to look deeper in the water column. Look for the marks on the meter.
If you're caching smelt, maybe you're too deep into the kelp - look a bit further out. Keep an eye on birds, they are always looking for bait.
Read masta's write up, good dope -
http://www.kayakfishingsupplies.com/...plate=livebait
welcome to BWE